Important Silversmiths - William Comyns & Sons
William Comyns, one of the most remarkable London silversmiths established his company at the end of 1858, after finishing his apprenticeship with George J. Richards. He bought the premises of Robert Tagg in 2 Carlise Street, Soho, London, where he entered his first mark (W.C into a four tipped oval) in 1859.
The firm, which had become famous for its fine Victorian and Edwardian decorative silver pieces, expanded rapidly and bought new premises in Beak Street and Regent Street. In 1885 William's sons Charles and Richard joined the company and its name was changed to William Comyns & Sons.
The Comyns delicate polished silverware and centrepieces were retailed through the world’s finest silver retailers, including Tiffany & Co., The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company and such firms as Henry Lewis and Howell & James in London.
The silver and tortoiseshell pieces, inlaid with silver pique work brought the particular popularity to William Comyns works. Refined jewellery boxes, toiletry sets, clocks, created in Victorian and Art Nouveau styles, gained a special reputation for their intricate designs, complex techniques and high quality.
When William Comyns had died in 1916, his two sons faced difficult times during World War I. In 1925 Charles died and the firm became the limited liability company led by Richard Comyns. In 1953 the firm was bought by Bernard Copping, but later it changed owners several times until the total liquidation in 1987.
